NEWS
OTHER SPORTS
DIARY
PEOPLE
MATCH REPORTS
SLIDE SHOW
ARCHIVES

Qualifier Paul Lawrie wins British Open

Scot Paul Lawrie emerged the unlikely winner as the controversy-riddled British Open ended in French farce yesterday with Jean Van de Velde tossing away a seemingly impregnable lead on the final hole.

Lawrie became the local hero after a four-hole play-off against Van de Velde, who scraped into the showdown despite a scenic route triple bogey seven at the last, and American Justin Leonard, the Open winner two years ago.

The trio had finished regulation play on a Carnoustie course castigated for its narrow fairways and impenetrable rough, deadlocked on six-over-par 290.

Lawrie had closed with a day's best four-under-par 67, Leonard 72 and Van de Velde a nightmare 77 after he threw away a three-shot lead - and the biggest prize of his life - in a bizarre display at the 72nd hole.

The unheralded Scot, ranked 159th in the world, slipped his rivals with two brilliant birdie threes on the last two holes of the play-off, the treacherous 17th and 18th. Leonard and a shattered Van de Velde were three behind.

''I can't believe it. I didn't expect to get into the play-off,'' said Lawrie, who had waited patiently for 1-1/2 hours just in case he was involved in 'extra time'.

Lawrie was the first player since the championship began in 1860 to triumph from the pre-qualifying tournament, a journey of 112 holes.

He ended a run of four American wins as he became the first Briton to take the title since Nick Faldo in 1992 and the first Scot since Sandy Lyle in 1985.

''This couldn't be better. I'm delighted. I played lovely in the play-off. I started 10 shots back of Jean and I didn't think there was any chance.

''I thought he'd get round in three or four over but strange things happen, especially when the course is so difficult.''

Two hours earlier the famous Auld Claret jug looked destined for Van de Velde until the strange things started to happen.

He stood on the 18th tee for what he thought would be the last time with a three-shot cushion. He needed a double-bogey six for victory but this straightforward task dissolved into a shambles of mishit shots and strange club selection.

''I never thought about winning until I heard that Jean made his seven at the last,'' Lawrie said.

Van de Velde abandoned a safety-first approach and reached for his driver, sending the ball way out right to the 17th fairway.

Discarding caution once again he sent his second shot clattering into a stanchion at the front of the grandstand to the right of the green. The bounce off the edge of a stream was favourable but the ball finished in the deep rough, so bitterly criticised by some of the players.

From there he mishit his third shot into the Barry Burn stream just ahead of him.

With officials and spectators watching in astonishment, the Frenchman removed his shoes and socks and waded in as if to attempt a miracle shot from the water. He thought better of it and took a penalty drop, but found a greenside bunker.

With one shot left to win and two to make the play-off he pitched out and somehow holed the six-foot putt. The Frenchman had led by one shot after the second round and five after the third, but his last chance was gone.

''My ball was lying so well and there was 189 yards to carry the water so it was not very demanding. Unfortunately, I hit the ball right and it hit the stands. From the rough there was no way to go but forward. I thought I could get it over the water.

''Then I thought I could play it from the water but when I climbed down I saw it was three inches under the surface. So I took a penalty drop and caught the shot heavy and it went into the bunker.''

Van de Velde, attempting to become the first French winner in 92 years, fell behind in the playoff with a double bogey six at the first playoff hole, the 15th, as the other two made fives.

All three bogeyed the short 16th but at the 17th Lawrie hit a superb approach to 10 feet and holed for birdie. Van de Velde matched it to stay one behind but Leonard could only make par to drop behind the Scot.

Lawrie played the 18th immaculately, a fine drive followed by a superb approach to four feet and, after the other two had bogeyed, he holed the putt.

Van de Velde certainly regretted not playing safe at the last.

''I'll be back next year and next time I'll play a wedge for my second shot and you'll all forgive me."

Australian Craig Parry, who briefly held the lead midway in the round, finally settled for joint fourth after his 73 left him level on 291 with Angel Cabrera of Argentina, who carded 70.

Greg Norman was another two shots back in sixth place with a 72. World No 1 Tiger Woods closed with a 74 for a share of seventh place with Davis Love and South African David Frost.

UNI